Pu'u Ohi'a Trail

This trail above the Makiki Heights neighborhood gets you to a summit view of the Koolau Monutains stretching all the way to Waikiki. A quick 12 minute drive out of Waikiki gets you to the Pu'u Ohi'a Trailhead, then 30 minutes walk to the top of the "hill of Ohia" to get to the mountain top (Konahuanui Summit). A great quick hike to enjoy some nature as part of your day in or around Honolulu.

At a Glance:
Highlights: Get elevated on this quick hike to a mountain summit, just 12 minutes from downtown Waikiki, but with lush green jungle and bamboo forested.
Location: Makiki Heights, Honolulu, Hawaii
Activity Level: easy, but steep on the knees. 1.5 miles roundtrip
Equipment: Sturdy shoes, rain gear, water and food.
Warnings!:  The trail is muddy, and efforts to install stairs have increased the hazard on some areas as stairs have eroded.
Reservations: None needed
Cost: No fee

Where to Start:
Slowly drive up the Tantalus Drive looking for the Pu'u Ohi'a trailsign on the left and a parking area across the street. Secure your vehicle, and begin following trail next to sign. The trail winds up the mountain switchback style and is muddy. The State trails department attempted to reinforce the trails safety by placing stairs along the trail using plastic lumber, unfortunately the stairs misguided run off and have created some slippery trenches to be aware off.

After 15 minutes of following trail look for bamboo forest lining the path, and continue left at any opportunities for splits or forks. Eventually you reach a small eroded stairway that leads to a paved road. Make a left at the paved road and follow to the top. Look for new path into the bamboo forest and follow for 30 yards to viewpoint on the summit.

State Park link for further details:
https://hawaiitrails.ehawaii.gov/trail.php?TrailID=OA+19+012

Address:
Tantalus Drive
Makiki, Honolulu, HI
 
Directions:
Head up Tantalus Drive until you reach the very top of the Drive (past Nahuina and Kalawahine Trailheads). Puu Ohia Trail will be on your left (mauka) side. Park in the parking area across the street from the trailhead on the makai (ocean) side of Tantalus Drive.